Search results for "masonry"
showing 10 items of 164 documents
Modeling of out-of-plane behavior of masonry walls
2009
The flexural behavior of rectangular masonry sections is investigated by considering nonlinear stress-strain in compression and limited-tension material. A preliminary analysis shows that, with variation in the parameters specializing with the adopted conventional constitutive law, the experimentally observed behavior of different kinds of masonry materials can be approximated. Subsequently, moment-curvature dimensionless curves are derived numerically by satisfying the equilibrium equations of the section. In the case of negligible tensile strength these curves exhibit a typical shape that can be approximated by analytical expressions; consequently, suitable functions are proposed that are…
Evaluation of infilled frames: an updated in-plane-stiffness macro-model considering the effects of vertical loads
2015
The influence of masonry infills on the in-plane behaviour of RC framed structures is a central topic in the seismic evaluation and retrofitting of existing buildings. Many models in the literature use an equivalent strut member in order to represent the infill but, among the parameters influencing the equivalent strut behaviour, the effect of vertical loads acting on the frames is recognized but not quantified. Nevertheless a vertical load causes a non-negligible variation in the in-plane behaviour of infilled frames by influencing the effective volume of the infill. This results in a change in the stiffness and strength of the system. This paper presents an equivalent diagonal pin-jointed…
Fundamental period of infilled reinforced concrete frame structures
2016
AbstractThe fundamental period of vibration appears to be one of the most critical parameters for the seismic design and assessment of structures. In the present paper, the results of a large-scale analytical investigation on the parameters that affect the fundamental period of reinforced concrete structures are presented. The influence of the number of storeys, the number of spans, the span length, the infill wall panel stiffness and the percentage of openings within the infill panel on the fundamental period of infilled RC frames was investigated. Based on these results, a regression analysis is applied in order to propose a new empirical equation for the estimation of the fundamental per…
Prediction of the additional shear action on frame members due to infills
2014
Infill masonry walls in framed structures make a significant contribution to the response under seismic actions. With special regard to reinforced concrete (RC) structures, it is known that internal forces modifications caused by the frame–infill interaction may be not supported by the surrounding frame because of the additional shear forces arising at the ends of beams and columns. Such additional forces may lead to the activation of brittle collapse mechanisms and hence their prediction is basic in capacity assessment, especially for structures that disregard the details for seismic zones. In this paper a parametric study is carried out addressed to the prediction of the shear forces ment…
A microplane model for plane-stress masonry structures
2003
Publisher Summary For a refined nonlinear finite element analysis of masonry structures, an accurate constitutive model that is able to reproduce the desired phenomenological material features is required. Constitutive models for quasi-brittle materials, as plain concrete, have been proposed in the chapter, which allow to reproduce the very complex response in the two- or three-dimensional state of stress. Usually, the constitutive relations proposed are based on some appropriate extensions of elastic-plastic continuum models and more recently on continuum damage models. It has been observed that for these tensorial-based constitutive relations to be effective often require a large number o…
Performance of two innovative stress sensors imbedded in mortar joints of new masonry elements
2021
Abstract Many historical cities enjoy the presence of masonry buildings with inestimable historical, artistic and cultural value. Old masonry buildings often suffer structural deficiencies, design faults and materials aging process. In recent years, many researchers focused their attention on the opportunities that structural health monitoring (SHM) can ensure for the health state of existing masonry structures, where damage can be difficult to be promptly predicted, pontentially causing abrupt collapses, with high risks for the community. This paper presents an experimental study on the effectiveness of two types of stress sensor for SHM of new masonry elements. Ceramic piezoelectric senso…
Upwards - Vertical extensions of masonry built heritage for sustainable and antifragile urban densification
2021
Abstract Urban densification represents one of the biggest universal challenges of contemporary cities: the increase of urban population requires new spaces to accommodate the growing demand for housing, working and tertiary activities. However, the land available for new constructions in highly urbanized areas is very limited. In this framework, the vertical extension of existing buildings is the most sustainable strategy and fascinating. Masonry structures , constituting a major part of the built stock in the historical city centres of several European countries, are particularly suitable for vertical addition of extra-floors, since they generally exhibit an adequate overstrength for bear…
Structural behavior of the old masonry bridge in the Gulf of Castellammare
2016
Abstract Masonry arch bridges represent a very significant part of the heritage of road and railway artworks all over the word and especially in the Mediterranean area, both in terms of: numbers; reduced environmental impact; and static efficiency. In these cases, the cost of maintenance is often limited to the content and channeling of surface water and control of vegetation, which can eventually take root on the joints of the masonry at the shoulders. In masonry bridges, there are no expansion joints or hinges with support equipment or trolleys, as in metal bridges and reinforced concrete ones, or paint, or resin surface protection, all items that affect the cost of maintenance. The perma…
Steel based retrofitting interventions for existing masonry walls: a comparative numerical investigation
2021
Masonry buildings constitute a significant portion of the architectural heritage all over the world, also in regions affected by a high seismic hazard. Since this constructional material is character-ized by lack of tensile strength, as well as small deformation capacity, masonry structures could result hugely damaged if shaken by seismic forces. In order to avoid collapses and reduce struc-tural damage, innovative retrofitting interventions are necessary to improve the seismic behavior of masonry structures. In this context, steel-based techniques could be considered among the most suitable solutions. In fact, by using such a high-performant material, additional strength and ductility may …
Integrating thermal and mechanical characteristics of historic masonry categories: Development of a Sicilian database
2021
Detailed construction analysis is essential to the compatible energy improvement of historic buildings. In-situ measurements are crucial for energy diagnosis but their use is limited, especially in vernacular architecture. This paper exposes the development of a hygrothermal and mechanical database for Sicilian historic walls. The proposed method, applied to eleven historic centres, is based on the investigation of those masonry construction features, which recur in local contexts. Preliminary results concern the case study of Petralia Sottana, where a first set of laboratory measurements of stone compressive strength and thermal conductivity was conducted, together with in-situ tests of ma…